Halley
Sheriffe
Sykes
Nero
Reardon
Kearney
Orford
Scruton
L'estrange
Lynch
Menzies
Langley
Donaldson

Whitehead
Godwin
Hall
G Burgess

I was tempted to put Whitehead at SR from start but with the experience Giants have in the position we need two experienced men marking them up. It seems Hudds are gonna start with G Horne at LF and I can't see Donno having any problems marking him up. Could have also kept Hall there but we need some props on the bench so I've opted to name him there if I was choosing team along with G Burgess who I think is going to be massive in the next few years.

No room for Worrincy for me, he just isnt good enough and with him marking Fa'alogo or Gilmour we'd be in bother.

I'd have a very similar team and I agree with most of your comments there. I would be more tempted to start with Hall in the second row and bring him off for Whitehead after, say, 20 minutes. When Hall then comes back on, play him in the front row. I'd also give Crossley the chance rather than young Burgess, as I still think the Burgii need a little more time in the reserves/academy before throwing them in at the deep end. Assuming Kopczak & Scully are unavailable, I would go with:

I'd go with:

Halley
Sheriffe
Sykes
Nero
Reardon
Kearney
Orford
Lynch
L'Estrange
Scruton
Hall
Langley
Menzies
SUBS
Donaldson
Godwin
Whitehead
Crossley

I'd like to see Crookes given the chance instead of Sykes or even Sheriffe, but I think that's nothing more than wishful thinking, so I haven't even considered it. I'd also like to see Platt picked at right centre, but he's only just coming back from injury, so perhaps give him a week or two first.

I think the team will be something similar to that, except I would expect Worrincy in there somewhere.

I'd realy like to see Crookes on the bench, as he has really impressed me and deserves the chance, although with two experienced props out I think that we'll have to wait for that.


Halley
Sheriffe
Sykes
Nero
Reardon
Kearney
Orford
Lynch
L'Estrange
Scruton
Langley
Menzies
Donaldson

Godwin
Hall
Whitehead
Crossley/Crookes

I'd like to see Whitehead in over Worrincy, but I doubt Macca will go that way. Agree that its a bit early for either of the Burgii, especialy seen as the pressure will be on first game of the season with the sky cameras there.

I'd prefer Crookes to be given that right centre spot. He doesn't have Sykes tendency to go wandering and leave his winger exposed.

Halley
Crookes
Sykes
Nero
Reardon
Kearney
Orford
Lynch
L'Estrange
Scruton
Menzies
Langley
Donaldson

Hall
Whitehead
Godwin
Worrincy

Same as above

I expect Hall to be on the bench as no doubt he'll be acting as a prop forward. I think Sykes will be kicking so he pretty much has to play. I'd expect we'll see something like:

Halley
Sherriffe
Sykes
Nero
Reardon
Kearney
Orford
Lynch
L'Estrange
Scruton
Worrincy
Menzies
Langley

Godwin
Hall
Donaldson
Crossley

Halley
Crookes
t' Beaver
Nero
Reardon
Kearney
Mr OX
Lynch
L'estrange
Scruton
Worrincy
Hall
Langley

Godwin
Donaldson
Whitehead
Sykes

Make Sykes prop for a bit and then that might inspire him to play consistently well.

halley
sheriffe
sykes
nero
reardon
kearney
orford
scruton
l estrange
lynch
menzies
langley
donaldson
subs
whitehead
godwin
hall
crookes

5 subs?

I can't see Macca dropping Sykes or Sheriffe until they are doing terribly or make an extreme f/uck up. I really think Crookes deserves a shot, but with Sykes kicking (for now anyway) can't see it happening yet.

Precisely why I didn't put him in. I'd love to see it, but I think Sheriffe and Sykes are pretty much guaranteed to be in there until necessity says otherwise (whether that be injury or poor form).

Halley

Sheriffe
Crookes
Nero
Reardon

Kearney
Orford

Hall
L'Estrange
Lynch

Menzies
Langley

Donaldson

Subs:
Worrincy
Godwin
Scruton
Whitehead

I'd put crookes at centre but McNamara will play sykes.

I would expect to see the following 17:

Halley
Sheriffe
Sykes
Nero
Reardon
Kearney
Orford
Lynch
L'Estrange
Scruton
Hall
Langley
Menzies
SUBS
Godwin
Worrincy
2 of Whitehead/Donaldson/Crossley

With Crookes also named in the 19 but not playing.

The only thing to me that might change that is Reardon not quite getting back from the dead leg, in which case Crookes will come into the starting lineup.

I think we can expect to see Hall and maybe Worrincy playing a bit of time in the front row though.